One-step flashing bevel process

(19)

(11)

EP 0 924 051 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	14.06.2000 Bulletin 2000/24

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	23.06.1999 Bulletin 1999/25

(21)	Application number: 98310523.0

(22)	Date of filing: 21.12.1998

(51)	International Patent Classification (IPC)⁷: B29C 57/00, B29C 43/02

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE
	Designated Extension States:
	AL LT LV MK RO SI

(30)

Priority:

22.12.1997 US 995727

(71)	Applicant: ETHICON, INC.
	Somerville, NJ 08876 (US)

(72)	Inventor:
	Muskatello, James Southington, Connecticut 06489 (US)

(74)	Representative: Mercer, Christopher Paul et al
	Carpmaels & Ransford 43, Bloomsbury Square London WC1A 2RA London WC1A 2RA (GB)

(54)	One-step flashing bevel process

(57) A process for beveling the tip of a medical catheter is described. A catheter blank (9) is mounted on a mandrel (2) normally with the mandrel tip extending beyond the tip of the catheter to be beveled. The mandrel and catheter blank are inserted into a previously heated mold (1) having a passage therethrough through which the mandrel passes. At a portion of the mold at which the terminus of the catheter is to be formed, a constriction is provided through which material (flash) may pass from the mold volume to the outside of the mold. The material is permitted to cool sufficiently such that when the mandrel and catheter are withdrawn from the mold, the flash (11) tears and separates from the catheter at the point of the constriction formed between the mold (1) and the mandrel (2).

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